COMPANY: Skyway Behavioral Health  

TITLE: DBT Skills Therapist/Group Therapist

FLSA STATUS:  Exempt  

LOCATION: Skokie, IL   APPROVED BY: Executive Leadership 

  Skyway Behavioral Health is an innovative behavioral health center that goes beyond the treatment of psychiatric symptoms to address underlying biological, behavioral, and psychosocial causes of psychiatric disorders.  Our belief is that maladaptive coping strategies are adopted by patients for survival.  While adaptive at one time or in specific ways, these coping strategies are now preventing patients from living the life they want to live.  Our treatments teach patients new skills that enable them to serve as their own behavioral therapists- thereby helping them to maintain recovery and generalize skills to their home environments.     

At Skyway, we provide a fully immersive, intensive, whole-person experience that covers everything from neuroscience to nutrition.  We believe that the path to recovery from traumatic stress requires a focus that encompasses not just symptom management but also the treatment of underlying individual, systemic, developmental, and familial traumas. We use leading-edge, specialized, evidence-based treatment modalities to help our patients address the trauma and pain behind their behaviors and diagnoses – thereby empowering them to make lasting changes in their lives.     

Our team has extensive clinical and leadership experience in the areas of traumatic stress, eating disorders, mood disorders, and personality disorders/pathology.  At Skyway, we are committed to building a culture and team that cares for one another such that we may care for our families, communities, and clients.  At Skyway, we believe that recovery is not only possible but also attainable for all patients.    

ROLE DESCRIPTION  

DBT Skills/Group Therapists report directly to the Program Manager at Skyway Behavioral Health (SBH). DBT Skills Therapists are integral and central to the treatment team.  Skills Therapists serve as a main point of contact for patients at PHP (Partial Hospitalization), IOP (Intensive Outpatient) and OP (Outpatient) levels of care.  Skills Therapists at SBH encounter a diverse array of patients and clinical needs. DBT Skills/Group Therapists provide group psychotherapy (approximately 15 hours per week) and individual DBT skills coaching sessions (approximately 5 per week.)  Extensive training in both DBT and evidenced based trauma treatments will be provided.  Successful skills therapists exhibit strong interpersonal skills with patients and colleagues, creative problem solving, compassion and empathy, and passion and persistence regarding helping patients to create a life worth living. 

 ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/CORE RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Preps and delivers group psychotherapy including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy groups and evidence -based trauma treatment.
• Provides evidence-based trauma treatments including implementation of manualized and protocol-based therapies. 
• Demonstrates ability to build rapport with patients and engage patients in recommended level of care and treatments. 
• As clinically indicated, provide comprehensive and ongoing clinical assessment and comprehensive risk assessment. 
• Completes progress notes in a timely fashion. 
• Coordinates case consultation with outside providers/treatment teams. 
• Presents clinical information at consultation team meetings and attends and participates in patient care and DBT consultation team meetings. 
• Establishes and maintains effective communications and working relationships within a multidisciplinary team. 
• Participates in weekly supervisions and quarterly trainings as needed.  
• Provides DBT phone coaching, abiding by DBT structure and format, as needed and at assigned hours.  
• Collaborates with the leadership team in creating and sustaining a culture of compassion and healing. 
• Follows policies and procedures to accomplish department-specific and organizational initiatives.  
• Ensures compliance with all applicable local, state, federal regulations, and guidelines.  
• Maintains completion of all competencies associated with role and in accordance with Skyway Behavioral Health policies and subsequent Joint Commission standards.  
• Performs other job duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS 

• Completion of a graduate degree MA, MS, PhD., or PsyD.
• 2 or more years of experience in a clinical or health care setting.  
• Must be licensed or license eligible (either LCPC, LCSW, PhD or PsyD)  
• Exceptional organization skills, reliable and timely. 
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Clinical proficiency in treatment, diagnosis, and documentation. 
• Reliable form of transportation to work. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft products (Word, Outlook, Excel), and familiarity with use of EHR systems.

 ADDITIONAL PREFERRED SKILLS  

• A passion for coaching, mentorship, and team-development.  
• A problem-solving orientation and eagerness to identify process gaps and implement practical solutions. 
• Ability to work independently as needed yet recognize the need for support and demonstrate the willingness to ask for help. 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond with confidence during challenging or chaotic situations.  
• Someone who embodies Skyway values:  

  • Embraces the whole person.  

  • Commits to innovative research-based programs.  

  • Believes we are better together.  

  • Celebrates expressions of diversity.  

  • Believes in _service _and supporting our communities. 

  • Views leadership as a privilege to elevate others to their highest potential.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS   

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.  The employee is occasionally required to walk and climb or balance.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Work hours may vary in this leadership role and may require responding to phone calls from direct reports during off hours. 

Skyway Behavioral Health is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.       

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.